"Interview" is the eighth album released by the British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. The album was released in 1976 and was recorded within a short span of time during their tour of the United States. The album was conceptual in nature, serving as a satire of the music business and the industrial and artistic tensions that had emerged during that time.
The musical style of the album combines Gentle Giant's customary complexity and sophistication with hard rock and funk influences. The lyrics are filled with self-referential, tongue-in-cheek, and often cryptic lyrics. For instance, the title track, "Interview," is a reflection of the band's experiences with music journalism, and "Another Show" describes the repetitive routine of touring.
The album consists of nine tracks, including: "Interview," "Give it Back," "Design," "Another Show," and "I Lost My Head." Despite its conceptual nature, "Interview" received mixed reviews from critics at the time of its release, but over time it has been appreciated as one of the band's most innovative works, displaying their experimental approach to the genre.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of Interview is that it was initially intended to be a multimedia package. The original vinyl release included an "interview" with the band members scripted and conducted by Gentle Giant, and designed to mimic a typical promotional interview they might have given to a music journalist. This concept was designed to give fans a closer look at the band and their perspectives on the music industry.
In terms of personnel, the band members involved in creating this album include the core line-up of Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, and John Weathers. Despite facing both industry and artistic pressures during this period, the band pushed forward and the result was the creation of "Interview," a testament to their creative resilience.
